Avoyelles Pages Past

By Donna Culotta

90 Years Ago

From our May 16, 1936 editions

Rep. C.A. Riddle of Avoyelles was unanimously chosen as a member of the Legislative Bureau.

Avoyelles native Gaston Porterie was named the honored guest by judges, lawyers and public officials at a surprise party.

Former Governor Huey P. Long was remembered at the inaugural ceremonies with the unveiling of a 20 ft. portrait.

LSU Law School announced its plans to increase the required time for a law degree from four to six years.

80 Years Ago

From our May 18, 1946 editions

The Marksville Garden Club urged Avoyelles legislators to enact a livestock law.

The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury passed a resolution to establish a library.

The Bunkie High Music Department presented the Spring Recital at Haas Auditorium. Performers included:

• Carolyn Morris, flute, assisted by Jean Campbell and Jacquie Neilson, clarinets.
• Guest pianist was Rev. A.W. Townsend and director was Miss Bedingfield.

70 Years Ago

From our May 19, 1956 editions

Davis Mayeux, a parish deputy, was sworn in as a Capitol policeman in Washington D.C.

Miss Bertha Moreau of Marksville retired from the teaching profession.

Lester Lemoine, president of the Cottonport Bank, was appointed a member of the Legislative Committee of the La. Bankers Association for the coming year.

The Joe Villemarette yard in Bunkie merited the Garden Club flag and the Jimmie Suddoth yard was runner-up.

Mrs. Nell Campbell Coco and Mrs. Mattie Bordelon Montgomery, both of Marksville, received their degrees from Louisiana College.

Potch Didier was sworn in as sheriff of Avoyelles Parish.

Gary Coco was declared the valedictorian at Moreauville High School.

60 Years Ago

From our May 19, 1966 editions

Peter Roy was elected president of the Presentation School Parent’s Club.

Mrs. Douglas P. Moreau announced her intention of running for Avoyelles assessor.

Alfred Joseph Coco of Moreauville was named the librarian for the Houston University Law School.

Rene Ponthieux and Nulen Moses were awarded their Eagle Scout badges.

Ella Rose Descant, a traffic employee of Southwest Bell Telephone Company in Bunkie, was honored with a luncheon for being named “Miss Operator” at the local office.

Nelson Bordelon was selected as the Star Chapter Farmer of the Hessmer FFA Chapter.

Theresa Ducote and Joy Neck received the Annual Award of the Readers’ Digest Association.

Norris Guillot of Fifth Ward was elected president of the Dixie C.B. Club of Avoyelles.

50 Years Ago

From our May 20, 1976 editions

Wanda Ducote was chosen as Hessmer High valedictorian and at Lafargue High School Nancy Wilson was selected as valedictorian.

Bunkie High Rally winners were: - Lionel Coleman, algebra II;
- Bonnie Rictmeyer, radio speaking;
- Donna Bernard, English II;
- Lolly Griffin, interpretive reading;
- Gayle Vernon, French I; and
- David Pearce, vocational ag.

Mr. J. Numa Damiens was elected president of the Marksville AARP.

Berthol Pearce of Pete Roy Ford in Bunkie was given membership in the Ford Division’s Society of Professional Sales Managers.

40 Years Ago

From our May 22, 1986 editions

Holly Escude and Philip Juneau of Mansura High School won the state tennis championship finals.

Avoyelles Supt. Ronald Mayeux announced that Avoyelles 2nd-3rd grade students scored above the state average in all categories of the La. Basic Skills Test.

Nico Scallan of Mansura received membership in the American Angus Association.

Charles Moreau of Simmesport was named a United States National Award winner in agriculture.

Shane Desselle of Bordelonville and Melissa Mayeux of Simmesport received scholarships to NLU.

30 Years Ago

From our May 16, 1996 editions

The Union Bank’s Pacesetter 55 Club visited Canton, Texas and shopped 100 acres of booths. Their next trip would be to New Orleans and the Saenger Theater to see “Damn Yankees” with comedian Jerry Lewis.

Cottonport Elementary celebrated “School Lunch Week” and honored lunchroom workers: - Dora Wells
- Pam Moses
- Carol Plauche
- Debbie Gauthier
- Rose Dobbins
- Susan Cook
- Maybelle Young.

St. Mary’s Catholic School in Cottonport honored grandparents on a special day. Eighth graders who performed were: - Joseph Bennett
- Mitzi Moreau
- Kristen Deville
- Danielle Gauthier
- Brooke Juneau
- Amanda Lacombe
- Joanna Plauche
- Corey Descant
- April Mayeux
- Callie Dupuy.

Tinker Mixon was grateful to Bunkie PD officer Boyd Blankenship who discovered a small fire in the Mixon Brothers dealership shop. The damage was minimal due to Blankenship’s diligence.

20 Years Ago

From our May 18, 2006 editions

The 2006 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch came through Avoyelles Parish on its way to Baton Rouge. Law enforcement officers including Rapides and Avoyelles took the torch on the north side of Marksville.

The Bunkie police arrested two people in connection with the December bomb threat made at Bunkie High.

Mansura Chief of Police Phillip Lucas was on the hot seat at the town council meeting with complaints about loud music and the budget for a police department car.

10 Years Ago

From our May 15, 2016 editions

Bethany Gaspard of Avoyelles High and Kala Ramos of Marksville High attended a House committee discussion on a bill legalizing medical marijuana in Louisiana.

Marksville High School senior Jaron Johnson won the state Class-AAA discus title. He threw 153 feet 10 inches which was three feet farther than second place.

Bunkie High valedictorian was Annie Gremillion, salutatorian was Ellie Tassin and historian was Jennifer Odie.

Having fun at the Cochon de Lait were: - Joseph Dauzart
- Lester Huddleston
- Channing Kimble
- Rodney Barnett
- Chad and Randy Thibodeaux
- Thad and Gaston Rabalais
- Rushton Turk and Kenneth Dowden.

Chuck Normand was named new assistant principal at Bunkie High.